Isaiah 38:1–8, 15–20
The LORD will save me, and we will play my music on stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the LORD. – Isaiah 38:20
Click to read passage
For the Israelites still living under the Old Covenant, blessing and cursing were given by God on the basis of obedience to His laws. So when King Hezekiah fell ill , he became bitter because he felt that his faithfulness should have guaranteed a long healthy life.
But he didn’t sin even in his bitterness. He went directly to the source of life in prayer, and God heard him. God granted 15 extra years of life to Hezekiah and delivered the nation from the Assyrian invasion. God even made the sun go backwards as sign of his promise.
Later in his reflection, Hezekiah admitted that his bitterness was motivated by his desire for peace. So God’s love and faithfulness were that much more marvellous. Hezekiah was inspired to praise and glorify God.
As we do our best to live according to God’s ways and to serve in church, we may assume that because of our obedience, all should go well in our lives. So when difficulties come, we feel that it’s unfair, as if God owes us a smooth sailing life because we’ve done our part. So we pray, “I’ve obeyed your word. I serve faithfully without complaining. You’re supposed to take care of me!”
God never promised a problem-free life even for his obedient children. He promised that, through it all, he would be right there with us, that he’ll hear our prayers, that he will deliver us. In fact he has already delivered us from the biggest problem in our lives—the problem of sin. And he’s proven his love by sending his Son to die for us even before we knew him.
So when we’re going through hardships, we can learn from Hezekiah to go to God in honest prayer. He can handle our resentment. But instead of an immediate change in our situation, we can expect to be assured of his presence and to receive power through the Spirit to endure. If God can save us from sin and eternal death, he can bring us through this rough patch.
Reflection:
Have you been feeling like the difficulties you’re going through are unfair? Have you been resenting God for allowing these hardships?
Go to God in honest prayer. He can handle even your “ungodly” feelings. After unloading, sit a while in silence and listen for him to speak. Feel his presence and love. Ask for strength to endure, for wisdom to know his will.
Prayer:
Loving God, sometimes we when we’ve been stuck in a difficult season for too long, we start to feel like you don’t care about us. Our head knows of your love, but our hearts do not trust you. Forgive us. Grant us an experience of your love. Teach us how to trust you even when things are rough. Give us strength and faith to continue praising you through life’s ups and downs because in every season you are still our faithful God. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Click to read passage
For the Israelites still living under the Old Covenant, blessing and cursing were given by God on the basis of obedience to His laws. So when King Hezekiah fell ill , he became bitter because he felt that his faithfulness should have guaranteed a long healthy life.
But he didn’t sin even in his bitterness. He went directly to the source of life in prayer, and God heard him. God granted 15 extra years of life to Hezekiah and delivered the nation from the Assyrian invasion. God even made the sun go backwards as sign of his promise.
Later in his reflection, Hezekiah admitted that his bitterness was motivated by his desire for peace. So God’s love and faithfulness were that much more marvellous. Hezekiah was inspired to praise and glorify God.
As we do our best to live according to God’s ways and to serve in church, we may assume that because of our obedience, all should go well in our lives. So when difficulties come, we feel that it’s unfair, as if God owes us a smooth sailing life because we’ve done our part. So we pray, “I’ve obeyed your word. I serve faithfully without complaining. You’re supposed to take care of me!”
God never promised a problem-free life even for his obedient children. He promised that, through it all, he would be right there with us, that he’ll hear our prayers, that he will deliver us. In fact he has already delivered us from the biggest problem in our lives—the problem of sin. And he’s proven his love by sending his Son to die for us even before we knew him.
So when we’re going through hardships, we can learn from Hezekiah to go to God in honest prayer. He can handle our resentment. But instead of an immediate change in our situation, we can expect to be assured of his presence and to receive power through the Spirit to endure. If God can save us from sin and eternal death, he can bring us through this rough patch.
Reflection:
Have you been feeling like the difficulties you’re going through are unfair? Have you been resenting God for allowing these hardships?
Go to God in honest prayer. He can handle even your “ungodly” feelings. After unloading, sit a while in silence and listen for him to speak. Feel his presence and love. Ask for strength to endure, for wisdom to know his will.
Prayer:
Loving God, sometimes we when we’ve been stuck in a difficult season for too long, we start to feel like you don’t care about us. Our head knows of your love, but our hearts do not trust you. Forgive us. Grant us an experience of your love. Teach us how to trust you even when things are rough. Give us strength and faith to continue praising you through life’s ups and downs because in every season you are still our faithful God. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.